James Anthony “Tony” Donnell

September 22, 2021

Mr. James Anthony “Tony” Donnell, age 56, of Lebanon, TN, passed away on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Vanderbilt UMC in Lebanon, TN, surrounded by his four children.

Mr. Donnell was born February 17, 1965 in Lebanon, TN, a son of the late Albert Donnell and Joan Donnell. Tony was also preceded in death by his sister; Tammy Donnell Griffin.

Tony was a 1983 graduate of DeKalb County High School. He worked for Tread Transportation as a driver and contractor for FedEx.

Mr. Donnell is survived by four children; Brandon (Kalah) Donnell, Travis (Amber) Donnell, Logan (Justin) Johnson, and Jake Donnell. He is also survived by step-mother; Susan Donnell, special cousin; Steve Dedmon, and girlfriend; Rita Anderson. Grandchildren; Carson and Collin Donnell, Eden and Hattie Donnell, and Harper Johnson.

Funeral Services for Mr. Donnell are scheduled to be conducted at the Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria, TN, on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 2PM with Bro. T.J. Hewitt officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillview Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation with the Donnell family will be at Avant Funeral Home on Saturday from 10AM until service time at 2PM.

September 21, 2021

James L. “Jimmy” Emberton age 72 of Buffalo Valley died Sunday night September 19, 2021 at St. Thomas Midtown in Nashville. He was born October 25, 1948 to his parents, the late Harvey and Mary Magdelene Redmon Emberton. He attended the Church of God and was a nurseryman. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by 3 sisters: Nancy Harris, Betty Williams, Edna Locke Hooper. Visitation with the family will be held Wednesday 4PM until 7PM. Survivors include 4 children: Tapatha (Eddie) Ray of Smithville, Brian (Charlotte) Emberton of McMinnville, Chad Emberton of Woodbury, Josh (Katie) Emberton of Smithville; Grandchildren: Dusten (Brandi) O’Conner, Julie (Chris) Ponder, Ethan (Samara) Ray, Brad Emberton, Ashley (Joe) Jones, Cade Emberton, Cristyn Emberton, Thea Kate Emberton; 13 Great Grandchildren; Domestic Partner: Kathy Prosser of Buffalo Valley; Brother: Ronnie (Katherine) Emberton of McMinnville; Sister: Tanya Emberton of Sparta. The Funeral Home lounge is closed at this time and NO FOOD or DRINKS are allowed in the building. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

September 19, 2021

Mr. Kenneth L. Boring age 79 of the Johnson Chapel Community of DeKalb County passed away Friday, September 17, 2021 at his home.

Mr. Boring was born on March 15, 1942 in San Antonio, TX to his parents, the late Cyrus & Alfreida Self Boring. Also preceding him in death was his wife, Karen Fogerty Boring. He was an Engineer with Inland Steel and had served his country in the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne/Paratrooper Division. He was also a member of the Amvets.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, September 20, 2021 at 11am at Peeled Chestnut Cemetery with military honors provided by the Veterans Honor Guard. There will be no visitation held at the funeral home. Family and friends will gather at the cemetery just prior to the 11am service.

Survivors include 2 Sons, Bryan Boring & Bret Boring both of Smithville, TN. 1 Daughter, Dawn Maranto of Smithville, TN. 9 Grandchildren, Alyssa, Austin, Tyler, Riley & Kayla Boring, Jared & Dakota Boring, Heather Parkerson & Megan Hunter. 3 Great Grandchildren, Indy Parkerson, Wesley & Mave Hunter.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of Mr. Boring.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

September 16, 2021

Ruth Dean Thweatt, age 85, passed away September 15, 2021 at her residence in Smithville. She was born October 8, 1935 to her parents the late Valter and Emma Adamson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Henry Thweatt; brother, Ronald Adamson; and daughter-in-law, Marsha Herman.

Ms. Thweatt attended the Smithville Church of Christ. She was a graduate from Watertown High School. Ms. Thweatt was a retired school teacher, having taught over twenty years at Smithville Elementary School. She was a member of the Smithville Senior Citizens and DeKalb County Retired Teachers. Ms. Thweatt loved her family, friends, and the Atlanta Braves.

Ms. Thweatt is survived by two sons, Ronnie Herman (Jayma Holcomb), Mike (Joanna) Herman, two grandchildren Jacob Herman (Ali Spika) and Katie (Jon) Slager, one great-grandchild, Livy Slager.

There will be no visitation at the funeral home. There will be a graveside service on Sat. at 10:00 am at DeKalb Cemetery.

The family has requested that no flowers be sent and donations can be made to DeKalb Animal Coalition or Lighthouse Christian Camp in memory of Mrs. Thweatt.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

September 14, 2021

Kimberly Hale age 41 of Alexandria, Tennessee went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Kim was born in Lubbock Texas on March 24, 1980 to the late, Wayne and Judy Wright. Kim was a beautiful wife, sister and friend to all that knew her. Kim will always be remembered for her love of life, laughter and sense of humor. Kim was member of Light of The World Church in Carthage. Kim is survived by the love of her life, her husband, Nathan Hale of Alexandria, Tennessee; father, Raymond Apple of Lubbock TX; father-in-law, Robert Carlon (Jean) Hale of Alexandria, TN; mother-in-law, Pam (William “Buster”) Pleasant of Rock Island; daughter, Ashleigh Pecina of Corpus Christi, TX; sisters Beth Salas of Bastrop, TX, Teresa Owings of Lubbock TX, Tracey Wright of Corpus Christi, TX, Susan Nobles of Snyder, TX and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends that were also family. Funeral services will be 2:PM Friday, September 17, 2021 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. Billy Smith and Michael Christian officiating and burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Alexandria. Visitation with the family will be on Friday 10:AM until the time of the service at 2:PM. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in memory of Kim. The funeral home lounge is closed at this time and no food or drinks are allowed in the funeral home. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

September 14, 2021

Sammy Gene Taylor age 60 of Dowelltown, passed away Monday September 13, 2021 at his residence. He was born October 23, 1960to his parents, the late Herman and Kathleen Steele Taylor. He was an electrician, plumber, carpenter and mechanic. Sammy is survived by 1 son, Matthew Taylor of Dowelltown; half-brothers, Tommy Garrison of Dowelltown, Ricky Parks of Michigan and Dallas Ray of Kentucky; 1 half-sister, Annette Parks of Michigan. The family has chosen a direct cremation and a graveside memorial service will be held 2 PM Thursday, October 7, 2021 at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in memory of Sammy. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.